Fullerton Wins Another Barn Burner

The past three weeks of Fullerton College football have taught fans one lesson: don’t leave early.

Fullerton trailed by 13 points entering the fourth quarter Saturday night, but rallied in the final 5 minutes 37 seconds for a 24-23 victory over Golden West in a Mission Conference game at Orange Coast.

A nine-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Eric Robinson to fullback Don Norris with 43 seconds left tied it at 23-23. Eric Lange then drilled the extra point and Fullerton led, 24-23.

Golden West got the ball at its 30 on the ensuing kickoff, but turned the ball over on downs and Fullerton (6-1, 5-1) ran out the final 16 seconds.

This was the third consecutive week Fullerton has been involved in a wild fourth-quarter finish. Two weeks ago, Fullerton scored 22 points in the final 5:36 to defeat El Camino, 31-24, after being behind, 24-9.

Last Saturday, Fullerton held a 29-17 lead, only to watch Saddleback score 14 points in the final 5:21 for a 31-29 victory.

“I getting too old for this,” said Hal Sherbeck, Fullerton College coach who is in his 30th season.

Fullerton’s comeback started when Golden West quarterback David Brunet fumbled an exchange from center and the ball was recovered by defensive lineman Steve Griggs at the Golden West 34 with about eight minutes to play.

Six plays later, Brian Williams scored on a one-yard run and the Golden West lead was cut to 23-17. Golden West then had to punt after three plays, and Fullerton started the winning drive at its own 31 with 4:20 left. The Hornets went 69 yards in nine plays including a 23-yard and a nine-yard screen pass from Robinson to John Mountain.

Golden West (5-2, 4-2) won’t have to go far to find what would have made the difference in the outcome. Kicker Wayne Duplantis, who tied the state and national record with five field goals last Saturday, missed a 31-yard field goal attempt and an extra point in the first half. Golden West also failed on a two-point conversion try in the third quarter.

Frank Vaccaro had an 89-yard touchdown run in the second quarter and Golden West led, 9-0, at the half. He led all rushers with 136 yards in 15 carries.

Fullerton rallied for 10 consecutive points early in the third quarter, but Brunet came back with two touchdown passes as Golden West built a 13-point lead. He completed a 22-yarder to Troy Walker, who made a diving catch in the end zone to put Golden West up, 15-10, with 2:06 left in the third quarter.

With 48 seconds left in the third quarter, Brunet hooked up with Robert Bedford for an 18-yard screen pass for a touchdown. Brunet completed the two-point conversion pass to Jake Witherspoon to give the Rustlers a 23-10 lead.